North West London Jets under 12's demonstrated their tactical nous as they overcame the odds to knock table toppers HMH from their perch in the Excel League with a 3-2 victory
January 22, 2012 21:18UNDER 12 EXCEL LEAGUE
North West London Jets 3 HMH 2
North West London Jets under 12's demonstrated their tactical nous as they overcame the odds to knock table-toppers HMH from their perch in the Excel League with a 3-2 victory.
NWLJ chose to defend deep throughout the game by getting both the defence and midfielders behind the ball in order to deny HMH any clear chances in front of goal.
This strategy led to HMH having the majority of possession and dominating the first half. However, it was NWLJ who grabbed the lead, courtesy of a quick counter attack which released Joel Leighton through the middle, to slot the ball past the HMH goalkeeper.
Three minutes before half time HMH were awarded a free kick on the edge of the NWLJ penalty area which Alex Rose dispatched exquisitely. The free kick was hit with such venom that man of the match, Eli Meyer - the NWLJ goalkeeper - fumbled the ball, resulting in the ball crossing the goal line before he scrambled it into his grasp.
The second half saw both sides with an even spread of possession but it was the Jets whose class told as they grabbed the lead for a second time through Akiva Restan striking the ball into the back of the net at the near post.
HMH then equalised for a second time from a set piece. The corner was whipped in towards the back post where an HMH player was lurking to poach the ball into the NWLJ net.
This setback spurred the Jets on to secure the winner. The Jets were awarded a free kick 10 minutes from time which Akiva Restan swung into the HMH penalty area, David Amor latched onto the ball and struck it superbly towards the bottom corner only to be denied by a fantastic diving save which parried the ball out to the feet of Leighton enabling him to grab his brace.
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